Good evening bandsters!

Well, here's my scenario. First fill of 1 c.c was nothing. Second fill of another c.c. was nothing. Yesterday, I went in for fill #3. She put in .5 c.c. but I couldn't get any water down. She removed .2 c.c. That makes me at 2.3 c.c.

I am still drinking liquids and it hurts going down. It's only been 24 hours- am I still swollen? Should I wait a few days? How do you know if you are too tight? Any advice would help! Thanks so much!

Hi Kirsten, there is a possibility that you are still swollen. My Dr. has his patients do 3 days of liquids after a fill for that reason.

I had a fill exactly a week ago to the day, for 4 days I was only able to drink pure liquid, now Im ok eating soups with stuff in em... and small bits of other stuff.. give it a few days =)

I had a fill last Wed, had to have part removed before leaving his office because water came back. I feel like I'm back in the mushy stage. Any solids and it's coming back for sure, although, last night I did keep down some cheerios. I think I'd rather have less restriction and be able to keep down what I do eat. I'm trying to hang in there and see if it gets better, but this slime mess is getting old.

La Madam... you have your email and PM options off??? I wanted to know about 3 days of liquid after a fill. I was told 24 hours.

Hi Jenna, I just checked CP and it loks like I have my email and PM on. My email is cuillard@comcast.net if you want to email me. My doctor says 48 hours of liquids after a fill and then 48 hours of mushies.

I am going to see how things go today. If it hurts to drink water then I must be too tight. It's amazing how 2 c.c was nothing and 2.3 c.c. is tight. Augh. It's a 4 hour round trip to see my doctor so it's a whole day event!

Kristen, YES! that .3cc's can actually make a big difference in level of restricion. Im noticing that your first fill was on March 21. Keep in mind that many of us (like me) do not gain restriction until 4-6 weeks after a fill.

So with you having 2 more fills right after each other, you may indeed be too tight.

Are you experiencing any nighttime reflux? Thats another symptom of being too tight.

My take on how to tell if you're too tight (from more mild to severe):

1. Dissatisfaction with the small amount you are able to eat.

2. You are not able to eat sufficient calories/nutrition.

3. Pain when eating.

4. Inability to keep down solid foods such as meats/poultry, but no probs with "easy" foods.

5. Vomiting in spite of chewing well and eating slowly.

6. REFLUX/Heartburn.

7. Inability to drink fluids.

For those where everything is okay except for reflux, I would do everything you can to avoid even once a month reflux - it will add up.

Reflux avoidance guidelines (in order of least to most aggressive):

1. Do not over eat.

2. Avoid acid producing foods/drinks, like caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, orange juice, spicy food.

3. Do not lie down after eating (I think they recommend a 3 hour wait?)

4. Do not eat or drink 3 hours before bedtime.

5. Take an OTC med to control reflux.

6. Elevate the head of the bed (helps keep the esophagus above the stomach so there's no backflow).

7. Take prescription strength meds to control reflux.

8. Get a slight unfill.

9. Get a total unfill.

Hey guys....went in and had .1 c.c. removed and it makes a world of difference. Still have to be on liquids for 2 days but I think I'm just about right.

How long did it take you to lose your weight? I have not been banded yet, but I was told the process is much slower than the gastic and that sort of bothers me because I want drastic result quick. I know that is probably unrealistic, but I want to gauge what I can expect to lose.

Everyone is different....it's hard to say what the average is...my doc says 1 1/2 to 2 lbs per week is great!

Good luck and don't be in a hurry! :-) it took us a long time to get this way!

N*

What is erosion? Why was your band removed.

My take on how to tell if you're too tight (from more mild to severe):

1. Dissatisfaction with the small amount you are able to eat.

2. You are not able to eat sufficient calories/nutrition.

3. Pain when eating.

4. Inability to keep down solid foods such as meats/poultry, but no probs with "easy" foods.

5. Vomiting in spite of chewing well and eating slowly.

6. REFLUX/Heartburn.

7. Inability to drink fluids.

For those where everything is okay except for reflux, I would do everything you can to avoid even once a month reflux - it will add up.

Reflux avoidance guidelines (in order of least to most aggressive):

1. Do not over eat.

2. Avoid acid producing foods/drinks, like caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, orange juice, spicy food.

3. Do not lie down after eating (I think they recommend a 3 hour wait?)

4. Do not eat or drink 3 hours before bedtime.

5. Take an OTC med to control reflux.

6. Elevate the head of the bed (helps keep the esophagus above the stomach so there's no backflow).

7. Take prescription strength meds to control reflux.

8. Get a slight unfill.

9. Get a total unfill.